A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 3 May 2018. / The movement ecology of a species can dictate their survival and success. Animals are motivated to move depending on resource priorities and in turn their movements are influenced by the surrounding environment. Natural habitats are being increasingly disturbed by anthropogenic changes which often creates several implications for the existing wildlife. One of these changes include extensive road networks that may fragment landscapes and increase mortality risks for local fauna. This current and global issue is often researched with the aid of road kill statistics which can create a biased view. My study highlights a more realistic method for understanding how organisms interpret and react to road infrastructure by using the movement patterns of 109 telemetered Puff Adders (Bitis arietans). To assess the effect of roads on these snakes within Dinokeng Game Reserve (Gauteng, South Africa) over eight years, Puff Adder lie-up locations (to the nearest road) and movement paths were analysed. Sex, season, years, and the types of roads within the reserve were included to evaluate the motivation for movement and if roads were inhibiting or aiding movement patterns. Compared to random, Puff Adders were closer too, and crossed roads more often. Males crossed roads more frequently than females and during non-mating season, both sexes were closer to roads. Narrow roads with low levels of traffic were also crossed more often. Overall, the roads in Dinokeng Game Reserve do not inhibit movement and patterns suggest that roads may be advantageous for Puff Adders. Roads appear to be foraging hotspots because of micro habitats created along the verges. However, these positive attributes could result in a potential risk when road usage is intensified by traffic. Understanding how species interact with changes to their environment is essential for appropriate management and mitigation and this study illustrates the necessity for unbiased research to properly evaluate these changes and reactions. / EM2018
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/25652 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Fizzotti, Bianca |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | Online resource (viii, 50 pages), application/pdf |
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